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Dentist in Shelby Township, MI

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Dealing with sensitive teeth can prove to be a challenge, but there are ways to fight back. Teeth sensitivity can be caused by many activities or underlying issues, so use our guide to find out what might be the source of yours.

Plaque and Decay – Plaque builds up on your teeth over time from bacterial presence. If left untreated, plaque can harden, eating away at enamel and gum tissue, and causing sensitivity or pain. Make sure you follow a regular schedule of cleanings to prevent too much build-up from happening.

Dental Damage – If damage has chipped or cracked a tooth, then the sensitive inner layers can be exposed and cause pain or irritation. Dental bonding can restore both function and appearance, protecting your inner layers.

Gum Disease – Gum disease, whether from smoking, plaque, or other sources, can cause your gum-line to recede and expose the dentin, or middle layer of your teeth. This can lead to sensitivity around your gum line. Regular cleanings can help prevent gum disease.

Over-brushing – By using too much force when brushing your teeth, you can wear down the enamel, or outer layer. Without the enamel there to protect the underlying layers, your teeth may become sensitive over time.

Acidic or Sugary Drinks – Acids and sugars in drinks (or food) can erode your teeth, exposing the sensitive inner layers. Make sure to rinse with water after enjoying them and before you brush to help guard against this.

Bruxism – Grinding or clenching your teeth can wear them down, exposing the dentin layer. Night guards can help reduce the effects of bruxism, while meditation or other forms of stress-relief can diminish the frequency of bruxism.

Teeth Whitening – Whitening treatment can temporarily cause sensitivity, so make sure to take special care of your teeth during that timeframe.

Tooth sensitivity is not usually harmful on its own, but it may be indicative of an underlying issue such as gum disease or tooth decay. If you are suffering from sensitive teeth, be sure to see us to diagnose the source. Contact our office to schedule an appointment.

When it comes to oral health, protecting your teeth and gums are often the focus. However, did you know that your tongue needs proper care as well? Your tongue is responsible for many essential functions like swallowing, tasting, and talking, but it can harbor bacteria that harms your oral health. Learn how to keep your tongue healthy by following these four treatment tips.

Practice Optimal Oral Hygiene

Brushing and flossing twice a day will protect your mouth from pesky bacteria, but make sure to brush your tongue as well. As an alternative, try using a tongue scraper once a day. Tongue scrapers will scrape away any build up that has formed on your tongue.

Drink Plenty of Water

If you are dehydrated, it’s possible for your tongue to lose moisture and become uncomfortable. Drinking water ensures your hydration and will wash away food particles and bacteria from the surface of your tongue. Proper hydration can also prevent bad breath.

Maintain a Healthy Diet

Your tongue is a muscle, and what you eat can affect its health. Fill your diet with foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals, calcium, lean protein, and fiber. Avoid eating processed foods and treats that are filled with sugar.

Visit our Dental Office

By visiting your dentist at least twice a year for a routine cleaning and examination, you can protect your tongue, teeth, and the rest of your mouth. During these visits, we will thoroughly check all aspects of your oral health. We will then work with you to create an oral health plan that is tailored to your needs.

Brushing your teeth can feel like a no-brainer after decades of practice, but are you aware of the mistakes surrounding home care that you might be making? Keep your oral health top-notch by reading our quick list and see how you fare.

Timing – Make sure you don’t brush immediately after consuming sugary or acidic drinks. You can demineralize the enamel on your teeth by doing this. Rinse your mouth with water, then wait for 30 minutes to an hour before you brush.

Borrowing a Brush – Sharing is caring, but not when it comes to toothbrushes. When you share toothbrushes with somebody, you can spread illness and germs through oral contact. Make sure to get your own toothbrush, and label it or keep it separate to ensure you don’t get them confused.

Distance from the Toilet – Flushing a toilet can spread bacteria through the air. Make sure to place your toothbrush as far as possible from your toilet, or put a cover on your brush to protect it from contamination.

Rinsing after Brushing – Most toothpastes contain fluoride, which can help strengthen the enamel in your teeth. It takes time to work, however, so make sure you don’t rinse your mouth right away after brushing. This can wash away the fluoride before it can do its job.

Brushing Too Much – When you brush too frequently, you run the risk of wearing down the enamel on your teeth. Focus on brushing all facets of your teeth instead of how vigorously you can brush.

There is more to brushing your teeth than you might think. These tips can help keep you aware of mistakes you might be making. Remember, daily brushing and flossing are only the foundation for optimal oral health – professional dental care is important, as well. For more advice or to schedule your next visit, contact our office.

When it comes to your oral
health, what you should eat is just as important as what you shouldn’t. By limiting
certain types of foods and focusing on others, you can set yourself up for a
lifetime with a healthy smile. Here is a list of foods you should strive to
eat, and others to consume with moderation.

Best Foods for Your Teeth

Cheese and other dairy
products. Dairy
is high in calcium and protein, which strengthen tooth enamel. Cheese, milk,
yogurt, and other dairy products are all great sources.

High-fiber foods. Fiber keeps saliva flowing, which
helps to get rid of bacteria and fight decay. Leafy greens, beans, and many
fresh fruits contain high amounts of fiber.

Water. Water should be your main drink of
choice. It helps rinse food particles or sugars away and keeps saliva levels
high.

Sugar-free gum. According to the American Dental
Association (ADA), sugar-free gum can protect your teeth by increasing saliva
flow. Chewing a stick after a meal can also help clean any food particles that
remain.

Lean protein. Foods like eggs, fish, chicken,
and various red meats contain phosphorus, which is necessary for your body to
fully absorb calcium.

Worst Foods for Your Teeth

Acidic foods. The acids found in citrus fruits,
wine, and candy can wear down the calcium buildup in your teeth and create
opportunities for tooth erosion.

Sodas. Soft drinks contain high levels of
sugar and acidity which are both equally destructive to your teeth.

Sports drinks. While sports drinks may help you
rehydrate during physical activity, they also contain a lot of sugar. We
recommend limiting sports drink consumption and switching to water.

Alcohol. Alcohol is known to dry out your
mouth, which prevents saliva from doing its job. Alcohol can also stain your
teeth.

Sticky or sugary candies. Sugar is one of the main causes of
tooth decay and is commonly found in candy. Limit how much candy you eat and
drink water afterwards to wash away any remaining sugars.

By watching what you eat or drink, you can protect your oral health. Minimize your consumption of problematic foods and aim for those that will benefit your teeth. In addition, regular cleanings and exams will help keep your smile bright and healthy. Contact our office today to schedule your next appointment.

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a condition
affecting the gums and underlying bone. Often silent until it advances into
later stages, gum disease can cause tooth loss or heart and lung diseases down
the line. Learn more about gum disease and how to prevent it with our tips.

How does Periodontal
Disease occur?

Bacteria within your mouth feed on sugars or food content to
create plaque, a sticky substance that coats your teeth and gum-line. Over
time, plaque can cause infection in your gums, creating pockets that make your
gums recede. If left untreated, the infection can spread further, eating away
at the underlying bone and threatening the stability of your teeth.

Importance of Oral
Hygiene

Cleaning plaque from your teeth can slow down the
progression of gum disease as well as help your mouth to recover. Regular
dental visits as recommended can remove much of the plaque that your home care
can’t reach. Over time, this can lead to your gums fighting off the infection
and becoming healthy once again.

Other Prevention
Methods

In addition to maintaining optimal oral hygiene, there are a
few goals you can set to further prevent gum disease. If you use tobacco
products, try to limit your intake, as they are harmful to your gum health. In
addition, stay hydrated. This helps maintain your saliva production, which can
ward off decay and plaque growth. If you are dealing with gum disease
currently, ask your physician if boosting your vitamin C intake can help. Your
body can use it to help restore your gums over time.

Are you hiding your
smile due to missing or damaged teeth? Dental implants are effective and sturdy
replacements that can bring a proud smile back to your face. Not only improving
your comfort and the appearance of your smile, dental implants can also protect
your oral health.

For Health

Missing teeth can disturb the structural support of your
surrounding teeth, creating a domino effect. Adjacent teeth can shift into the
gap created by the missing ones, weakening bone tissue around the area as they
do. This can cause the remaining teeth to lose support, which can result in
their loss as well. Dental implants restore function where a gap may exist,
keeping everything in line and preserving your bone tissue.

For Comfort

Dealing with gaps from missing teeth can make chewing
painful or irritating. Food can get stuck in the gap, putting pressure on your
gums when biting down. In addition, you may start to favor certain areas of
your teeth to chew on, which can cause extra wear and sensitivity. Dental
implants can fix these problems by replacing a gap with a functioning tooth,
giving you more chewing surface.

For Beauty

Missing or damaged teeth can be distressing, especially if they
are visible. For some, this can diminish confidence. Dental implants can match your
surrounding teeth, integrating seamlessly for a natural appearance. By
restoring your smile, dental implants can boost morale and self-esteem.

Dental implants are a powerful tool to fix many issues that missing teeth cause. Offering comfort, a confidence boost, and protection from further oral health complications, dental implants can create a life-changing experience. To see if dental implants are the right solution for you, contact our office to schedule a consultation.

The enamel on your teeth
is stronger than steel, but it isn’t invulnerable. It’s important to practice great
oral hygiene to keep your teeth healthy, but what about caring for them in
other ways?

Without proper knowledge,
you may be utilizing the strength of your teeth in a harmful manner, like
nail-biting or opening packaging with them. These practices can slowly harm your
mouth, causing difficulties for the future of your oral health. Below are the
most common ways that people use their teeth as tools and why you should avoid
doing them.

Nail-biting

Biting your nails can
cause harm to your teeth, jaw, and joints. It opens up the possibility of
cracking, chipping, or wearing down your front teeth over time. Nail-biting is
also a common cause for issues with the temporomandibular joint, resulting in discomfort
and dysfunction where your jaw and skull connect. If you are having trouble
quitting this habit, we recommend asking a close friend or family member to
remind you to stop, or to always have a pair of nail clippers with you.

Opening Packaging

It may be a quick solution
for a stubborn bag or bottle, but using your teeth as a tool is not worth the
risk. These movements can harm your jaw, or damage your teeth. We encourage you
to reach for a pair of scissors or a bottle opener instead.

Chewing on Items

Teeth are made to chew food, not pen caps, pencils, or straws. These items put your teeth at risk for chips and cracks and can even tear or damage gum tissue. Chewing on items may also be a sign of bruxism, which causes unintentional teeth grinding. This overactive use of your teeth and jaw can result in headaches, tooth sensitivity, and gum recession. We recommend chewing on sugarless gum instead if you are having a hard time breaking this habit.

A cracked tooth can affect the appearance of your smile and hinder the function of your teeth. Depending on the severity, you may experience discomfort or find it difficult to chew comfortably. Thankfully, damage to your teeth can be avoided by knowing what causes it. Below we have gathered the most common reasons for a tooth to crack and how to avoid it from happening.

Chewing Hard Foods

While healthy teeth are strong, they are not indestructible. Try to avoid or limit chewing on hard foods such as nuts, ice, or popcorn kernels, as these can cause cracks in your teeth.

Grinding Your Teeth at Night

Teeth grinding (known as bruxism) is a common occurrence and can happen without your knowledge. Most teeth grinding happens in your sleep and can gradually damage your enamel, causing stress fractures or what are known as craze lines. Combat this issue by wearing a night guard, which acts as a barrier between your upper and lower teeth and protects them from wear.

Natural Aging

As you age, so do your teeth. While you can’t avoid aging, you can help limit the effects it has on your oral health. Cracked teeth are commonly found in people over the age of 50 due to a lifetime of daily use. Because of this, it is important to practice strong oral hygiene habits and visit the dentist on a regular basis.

Trauma to the Mouth

Traumatic dental injuries can occur during vehicle or sport collisions. Often, these accidents are unavoidable and can cause damage to your teeth. While playing contact sports, we encourage you to wear a mouth guard to lower your chances of cracking a tooth.

Cracked teeth, especially when left untreated, are one of the leading causes of tooth loss. There are ways to avoid these injuries that will help keep your teeth strong and safe. Sometimes, a cracked or chipped tooth is unavoidable. In this case, our team at Redwood Dental can help restore your teeth back to full health.

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Shelby Township Dental Office

“One of my Bridges had dropped down. I just left rehearsal and had another performance scheduled for 2:30. Fortunately my performance was just north of Redwood dental. They were very accommodating to squeeze me in between patients, fix my bridge and send me on my way so I was still able to do my performance. Thank you so much!”